Summary On 15 June 2001, three small vessels were involved in commercial fishing near Berens Island, Lake Winnipeg. At approximately 1535, the ShannonDawn, a Lake Winnipeg yawl fishing vessel, was swamped and capsized in heavy seas a short time after taking on board two fishers and their cargo of fish from the RachelM, which had encountered engine problems. Three persons drowned. Ce rapport est galement disponible en franais. Other Factual Information Particulars of the Vessels Description of the Vessel Photo1. Port bow view of the ShannonDawn A split steering control console was located about 2.5m from the stern. At the deep well aft, near the motor, an extended spindle was connected to a gate valve (at deck level). While the vessel is under way, the gate valve may be opened to drain water from the vessel. When the vessel is not making way through the water, water will flood the hull if the valve is left open. The ShannonDawn was of an earlier Lake Winnipeg yawl hull design. The vessel was fitted with a sealed buoyant compartment below deck level. Some newer models, as well as some older models, have been fitted or retrofitted with more flotation tanks for additional buoyancy, and with an increased forward freeboard for improved sea-keeping ability. The development of this hull design now provides for two additional modifications to reduce the shipping of water on deck. The inboard coaming around the motor well at the transom has been raised, and the forward sheer of the hull from midships has been increased. Photo2. RachelM Larger sheer at bow The RachelM had these modifications incorporated in its hull. Since both small fishing vessels were less than 15gross tons, neither vessel was required to be inspected by Transport Canada. There is no requirement for navigational equipment to be carried on board vessels of this size and type. However, the vessels were each equipped with a VHF radiotelephone for communication. The VHF was mounted on the centre console. Events On 15 June 2001, at approximately 1200 central daylight time,3 several fishing vessels of the Lake Winnipeg yawl type departed McBeth Fisheries, located at McBeth Point, Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, to fishing grounds located some 14miles away, on the south side of Berens Island. They were all equipped with VHF radios, typically operating on VHF channel11 to maintain contact with each other and McBeth Fisheries. They arrived at the fishing grounds about 20minutes later to gillnet fish. On a typical fishing day, each fishing vessel intermittently offloads its harvested fish at McBeth Fisheries and returns to the assigned gang of nets. A strong northeast wind the previous day had created a large swell, and it had been considered unsafe to fish in the area until now. The operators of the RachelM, the ShannonDawn and the ConstanceII had received the weather forecast for their area. After fishing for approximately one hour at this location, the ShannonDawn, the RachelM and the ConstanceII proceeded to the northwest side of the island, approximately 200m from shore. Two persons were working aboard the yawl RachelM and one person alone operated the ShannonDawn. One-quarter mile away to the west was the third fishing vessel, the ConstanceII, operated by the manager of McBeth Fisheries Association. At approximately 1400, the manager on the ConstanceII received a radio telephone call from McBeth Fisheries asking about the local weather and sea state, as they were informed that some inclement weather was imminent. The manager indicated that the weather was calm, clear and slightly overcast. A short time later, however, the sky became heavily overcast and the wind strength increased from the northwest. At approximately 1420, dark clouds appeared in the northwest, indicating that a storm was approaching. A short time later, the rapidly increasing wind generated white froth and turbulence on the water. The wave and swell height increased to between 2.5and3m. Despite the deteriorating weather and sea conditions, it was reported that the crews of the ShannonDawn and the RachelM felt a sense of security in seeing each other's vessel working between the waves. As the fishing was going well, they continued for another half hour, then it began to rain. Some fishing vessels to the west could be seen heading for shelter located in a bay some seven nautical miles around the southwest end shoals, toward the south side of Berens Island. Some were seen heading back to McBeth Fisheries. At approximately 1500, the manager on the ConstanceII contacted the ShannonDawn and the RachelM on the VHF radiotelephone and advised them to seek shelter. He invited the crews from the two vessels to wait out the weather on his other larger 17m supply/accommodation vessel ConstanceI, which was anchored on the south side of Berens Island. The ConstanceII, now located between the RachelM and ShannonDawn, then headed for the ConstanceI, proceeding to the south (lee side) of BerensIsland. The manager assumed that the RachelM and the ShannonDawn would follow as soon as the ShannonDawn finished cleaning out a gillnet. Meanwhile, the sea and swell worsened while the operator of the RachelM was attempting to start his motor. The two vessels were approximately 200to 300m apart, and each had approximately six tubs of fish aboard. At about 1510, the operator of the ShannonDawn made the first of three radio messages to the ConstanceII, on VHF channel11, to advise that his son could not start the motor on the RachelM. The manager informed the ShannonDawn to buoy off the RachelM (fish gangs are marked with anchor buoys) and transfer the two crew members from the RachelM to the ShannonDawn. About five minutes later, the operator of the ShannonDawn radioed the ConstanceII that he had manoeuvred his vessel alongside the RachelM and had transferred the two persons and their fish tubs to the ShannonDawn. He also asked if the manager could bring the ConstanceII back to their location to assist them. At approximately 1530, the operator of the ShannonDawn made his third and final VHF radio call to the ConstanceII, indicating again that he needed the manager's help. The sea and swell were now estimated at 4m. The radio signal was broken up and difficult to hear, but the manager asked for the ShannonDawn's location, and the operator suggested that their vessels meet at a designated gang of nets. Halfway through a sentence, the voice communication suddenly stopped. The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) Thunder Bay Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) Centre/VBA overheard this communication. The manager then attempted to take the ConstanceII around the western end of Berens Island, with the intention of meeting the ShannonDawn. He proceeded approximately one mile north in the vicinity of the western island shoals, where he encountered large, steep waves, estimated to be 4to 5m in height. The tops of the waves were washing into his boat and, to prevent being swamped, he turned the ConstanceII about and proceeded to shelter in the lee of Berens Island. He continued to call the ShannonDawn on the VHF radio but to no avail. At 1635, the Thunder Bay MCTS Centre/VBA was informed by the manager on the ConstanceII that there was an emergency in Lake Winnipeg. The manager mentioned that he had lost contact with the ShannonDawn, which was encountering rough seas and poor visibility in spray conditions. CCG search and rescue (SAR) resources were immediately alerted, and a Hercules aircraft was dispatched to the area. Deteriorating weather and sea conditions prevented the water-borne craft from proceeding to the SAR scene until the following day. On June 16, a search party of four fishing vessels, together with the CCGS Waubuno, departed McBeth Fisheries. The RachelM was discovered in an upright position, having been washed up on the north shore of Berens Island, approximately 60m inland from the shoreline. Also found were two personal flotation devices(PFDs). Victims The body of the operator of the RachelM was found four days after the accident near McBeth Fisheries, off Cat Head, some 14miles south-southwest from the estimated occurrence site. The body of his assistant was discovered two weeks after the accident, approximately 300m from where the operator was found. The body of the operator of the ShannonDawn was found 27days after the accident, between the location of the sunken vessel and the northwestern shore of Berens Island. None of the victims had been wearing a lifejacket orPFD. All had extensive experience in fishing, ranging from 15to 30years. Damage to the Vessels The RachelM sustained mostly superficial damage. Only the motor bracket was significantly damaged. The ShannonDawn was discovered almost submerged, approximately four miles south-southwest of the location of the RachelM and one nautical mile beyond the shoals in deeper water. The bow of the vessel was projecting above the surface of the water. The outboard motor had been ripped off the transom. The motor was not recovered. The remainder of the vessel had extensive damage to the windshield, split steering console and motor bracket. The bilge pump, which was reported to have been non-operational before the occurrence, was missing. Weather Information and Broadcasts The weather forecast for the north basin of Lake Winnipeg, for 15June2001, was broadcast on VHF channel26 via a relay transmission tower, operated by the Thunder Bay MCTS Centre/VBA, and located at Jackhead, Manitoba. Weather information could also be obtained by the public, using a 1-900number provided by the Weather Office of Environment Canada, Winnipeg, for a small fee. Initial notification of severe weather warnings is given on VHF channel16. The listener is then asked to switch to VHF channel26 to obtain the message. Notification of severe weather warnings are re-broadcast at intervals of 20minutes for the duration of the deteriorated weather period. The fishers were reported using VHF channel 11 as the working frequency on the day of the occurrence. Unless they were monitoring VHF channel16, or 16/11 simultaneously, they would not be reminded of the deteriorating weather approaching them. The occurrence area, referred to as the Lake Winnipeg Narrows (the southern portion of the northern basin), was within this coverage area. At 0530, small craft warnings were upgraded to gale warnings; winds NE 25kt increasing to N'ly 35-45kt in the morning, then gales diminishing to 25kt toward evening. At 0846 and 1130, updated gale warnings were re-broadcast by the Thunder Bay MCTS Centre/VBA. Real-time monitoring stations in the Lake Winnipeg Narrows area gave much lower wind speed readings, as follows: This information was not broadcast, but is consistent with the weather observed by the manager aboard the ConstanceII. Life-Saving Equipment Reportedly, the ShannonDawn had a lifejacket tied around the forward seat before the occurrence. However, it was not found when the vessel was recovered. Two PFDs had been washed ashore on Berens Island at the time the RachelM was found. There is no requirement for the carriage of an emergency position-indicating radio beacon on a vessel of this size and type, nor was one carried on board. Transport Canada is currently working within the Canadian General Standards Board process to develop a new lifejacket standard that will allow manufacturers flexibility to design and produce a more ergonomic lifejacket. This new standard will provide thermal protection similar to the existing anti-exposure work suit. The requirements for carrying life-saving equipment for small fishing vessels forms part of the discussions taking place within the Canadian Marine Advisory Council (CMAC) Fishing Vessel Safety Standing Committee and the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 Regulatory Reform of Fishing Vessel Safety Regulations. The legislative process includes public consultation and impact analysis of the proposed regulation. The new Fishing Vessel Safety Regulations are scheduled to be introduced in 2006. Motor Failure on the RachelM The motor on the RachelM was a1995, 175HP Johnson outboard. After sand and water was removed from the carburetor (which did not appear to be the cause of the original motor problems), a mechanic identified a loose ground wire on the ignition computer (CDI) as a probable reason why the motor failed to start. Subsequent Occurrences The TSB was informed that, on 15September2002, an overturned 6.09m Lake Winnipeg yawl had been discovered near Twin Islands, 2.5nautical miles south of Berens Island (TSB occurrence M02C0056). The vessel operator and his helper had departed McBeth Fisheries the previous day to fish and were now missing. The propeller on the motor of the overturned yawl was found to be fouled with two fish nets. Both bodies were retrieved later and neither person had been wearing a lifejacket or PFD. An occurrence on 03November2002 reported that a Lake Winnipeg yawl was swamped near Rabbit Point in the southern portion of the North Basin, Lake Winnipeg Narrows, and two fishers were in the water. One person was found hanging onto a gas can and the other to the portion of the vessel above the surface of the water. Neither person was wearing a lifejacket orPFD. Another occurrence was reported on 03June2003, of a capsized vessel, 4.5nautical miles east of Berens Island. One person was missing, and another person without a lifejacket or PFD was found clinging to the overturned vessel.